Page 31 of Tempting Miles
“I’ll start slow. Put the gear in neutral. When you feel the pull, I need you to steer to the right.”
She nods again, a faint smile forming on her face.
“It’s all good, sugar. I’ll get you out of here in a jiffy.”
She huffs a laugh, and I join her.
Back in my truck, I ease forward and keep it slow, just like I told her. It takes a couple tries, but eventually I pull her car free from the snowbank.
As soon as I put my truck in park, a door slams. Sure enough, Penny is already out of her car and walking toward me.
“Hey, Miles,” she says with a bright smile as I lower my window. “Thank you so much for coming to my rescue. But I think I got it from here. As soon as you untie the line, I’ll be on my way.”
I look at her like I’ve just been punked and Ashton Kutcher is about to jump out of the woods with a camera crew.
“Are you serious right now?”
She scoffs. This woman actually has the fucking guts to scoff.
“Of course I am,” she says, like it’s obvious.
I close my eyes and count to three, trying to get a grip, but I’m already pissed.
“I’m sorry to break it to you, sweetheart, but you got stuck on a pile of road construction barrels covered in snow.” Her eyes go wide, but I keep going. “And you only made it fifteen miles outside of Azalea Creek. The trip to Charlotte is what—thirty? Forty miles?”
She crosses her arms around her chest, glaring at me.
Fuck, my dick shouldn’t respond to that. But it does. Something about this woman gets under my skin in a way nothing else ever has.
“In my humble opinion, you should spend the night somewhere and reassess tomorrow. Besides, I didn’t bring my trailer to transport your car. We’ll have to come back for it once the storm passes.”
When she still doesn’t budge, I add, “Or I can follow you, and we both head to my place. It’s a lot easier to drive fifteen miles than forty in this weather.”
“What?” Her expression shifts, her mind clearly running through all the possible scenarios.
The moment she decides, the bravado slips.
“I’ll never admit this if you ever bring it up outside of this scenario, but you’re right.” She lets out a long breath as she finally admits she’s stuck with me.
“I’m in no state to drive,” she continues quietly. “I’m still a little shaken up.”
She lowers her gaze, not willing to give me the satisfaction of letting her see my triumphant grin.
“Penny, it’s still snowing. You’ve had a hell of a night.” I hold her gaze, making sure she understands me. “All I’m offering is a warm bed—just for you.”
I tack on the last part so she knows I’m not trying anything.
Which is only partially true. I’m thinking about it, but I’ll keep my hands to myself.
She’s had a rough day. And I’m a gentleman. Mostly.
“Ugh. You’re never going to let me live this one down. Are you?” she says.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I try to sound serious, but the smirk is a dead giveaway.
“Ugh. It is what it is, I guess.” She hurries to the passenger side of my truck.
I pump my fist once, keeping it low. I was expecting more of a fight, but she’s probably exhausted.
